Maldives customs stop illegal export of coconut palms
The trees were allegedly uprooted for export to Abu Dhabi.
03 Nov 2018, 9:00 AM
The Maldives Customs Service stopped Thursday the illegal export of coconut palm trees from the Maafaru island in Noonu atoll.
Maafaru islanders alerted customs after the Environment Protection Agency stopped the illegal uprooting of trees from the island.
Photos of palm trees removed before the EPA intervention and loaded on a barge emerged on social media last week. It was alleged to have been packed for export to Abu Dhabi.
The Maafaru airport is financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund as a “gift from United Arab Emirates.” The project began after a member of the UAE royal family purchased the Cheval Blanc Randheli resort near Maafaru.
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